"Wicked" Opens Strong with $163 Million at the Global Box Office

After enchanting audiences on Broadway for two decades, Wicked has finally graced the big screen, much to the delight of fans around the world. This dazzling film adaptation has made an impressive debut, quickly becoming the top film globally this weekend with an estimated box office total of $163 million. 

A Record-Breaking Opening

Wicked is not just another musical; it’s now set records that solidify its spot in cinematic history:

• Biggest Opening Weekend for a Broadway Adaptation: With $163M, it surpasses the previous record held by Les Misérables, which opened to $103M.
• 6th Biggest Opening Weekend of 2024: Behind only a few major titles, Wicked outperformed Despicable Me 4 and is taking the cinematic world by storm.
• Impressive Reception: Boasting a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 90% from critics and a remarkable 97% from audiences, Wicked has earned an A CinemaScore, indicating widespread enjoyment and approval.

Fantastic Performances Domestically and Internationally

The film’s phenomenal start in North America saw it opening in 3,888 theaters, garnering an estimated $112.5 million in its first three days. This achievement marks the:

• Largest Opening Weekend for a Broadway Adaptation
• 3rd Biggest Opening Weekend of 2024
• 4th Largest Opening Weekend for a Musical Ever in U.S. History, outshining The Little Mermaid’s previous record.

Internationally, Wicked isn't slowing down either. It opened in 61 markets, raking in an estimated $50M, making history as:

• Biggest Opening for a Broadway Adaptation Worldwide
• 6th Biggest Opening Weekend for a Musical Internationally, surpassing major hits like Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.

Global Territory Highlights

• UK & Ireland: Dominating the market across 2,250 screens, Wicked grossed around $17.2M, exceeding expectations and claiming the biggest opening Saturday and Sunday of 2024 and the biggest opening for a stage musical adaptation.
• Australia: With an opening of $6.7M, it is the biggest Universal opening of 2024.
• Korea: Strong audience reception translated into $4.6M, maintaining impressive viewer scores.
• Mexico: A commanding presence with a 38% share of the box office, opening at an estimated $3.9M.
• Brazil and the Philippines: Both territories saw remarkable openings at 1.8M each (3.6M), contributing to Universal's overall success.

Wicked is poised to continue captivating audiences well into the holiday season and beyond. If you haven’t yet experienced this magical tale of friendship, ambition, and the untold stories behind Oz’s most iconic characters, get your tickets now.